Optical Fiber Sensing via WDM Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed optical fiber sensing systems require dedicated fibers for sensing applications, leading to high deployment and maintenance costs, and existing technologies do not effectively integrate sensing capabilities with commercial communications optical fiber networks.
Innovation Solution
The integration of distributed optical fiber sensing systems with commercial communications optical fiber networks, specifically using wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks, including passive optical networks (PONs), to overlay sensing capabilities on existing communication channels, allowing for simultaneous data transmission and sensing on the same physical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated optical fiber is employed for sensing applications, then sensing capability is provided, but deployment and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling optical fibers to serve dual purposes: both communication and sensing. The system allows the same physical fiber infrastructure used for data transmission to simultaneously provide distributed sensing capabilities for temperature, vibration, and acoustic detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing fibers and reducing overall deployment and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges communication and sensing functions into a single integrated system. By combining the optical communication infrastructure with sensing capabilities through wavelength-division multiplexing and other integration techniques, the system creates a unified platform where one infrastructure supports both data transmission and environmental monitoring, thus reducing the need for separate dedicated fibers.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensing systems are overlaid on commercial communications optical fiber networks, then costs are reduced, but interference between communication channels and sensing signals may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical spectrum into different wavelength bands for communication and sensing signals. Through wavelength-division multiplexing, the system separates communication channels from sensing signals in the spectral domain, allowing both to coexist on the same physical fiber without interfering with each other, thus enabling cost reduction while maintaining signal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using advanced signal processing and optical switching techniques to manage and isolate communication and sensing signals. The system employs intelligent signal routing and separation mechanisms that prevent harmful interactions between the two signal types while allowing them to share the same physical infrastructure, thereby reducing costs without sacrificing signal quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing types are provided on a single optical fiber bundle, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing different wavelengths (spectral dimension) to multiplex multiple sensing types on a single optical fiber bundle. Instead of increasing spatial complexity by adding separate fibers for each sensing type, the system encodes different sensing functions at different wavelengths, thereby achieving versatility through spectral differentiation rather than spatial multiplication, which keeps the overall system more manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces costs by leveraging existing communication infrastructure, enabling effective temperature, vibration, and acoustic sensing while maintaining high-quality data transmission, and allows for real-time monitoring of infrastructure health and environmental conditions without increasing operational complexity or interference.
Implementation Method 1
distributed optical fiber sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously overlay on wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks—including passive optical networks (PONs)
Implementation Method 2
when an optical fiber comprises a bundle of fibers, that bundle may provide separate, dynamic sensing elements for temperature (DTS), vibration (DVS), and acoustic (DAS) detection
Implementation Method 3
when an optical fiber comprises a bundle of fibers, that bundle may provide separate, dynamic sensing elements for temperature (DTS), vibration (DVS), and acoustic (DAS) detection
Implementation Method 4
when an optical fiber comprises a bundle of fibers, that bundle may provide separate, dynamic sensing elements for temperature (DTS), vibration (DVS), and acoustic (DAS) detection
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods and structures and applications of optical fiber sensing. Of significance, systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may reuse and/or retrofit/upgrade existing optical fiber cables as part of optical fiber sensing that may find important societal application including intrusion detection, road traffic monitoring and infrastructure health monitoring. Combining such optical fiber sensing with artificial intelligence (AI) further enables powerful applications at low(er) cost.